Hackers use Chinese AI agent to target South Korean banks

Hackers used a Chinese artificial intelligence agent to target major South Korean banks and steal personal information belonging to around 68,000 people, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing South Korean authorities.

Investigators in Seoul said the attacks, first detected last week, affected at least seven financial institutions and left traces of a cybersecurity tool called Artex AI, which was developed in China.

The Cyberterrorism Unit of South Korea’s National Police Agency opened an investigation Tuesday. Authorities have not identified those responsible and are seeking international cooperation as they trace the attacks.

The attacks originated from internet addresses in about a dozen countries, including the United States, Japan and Germany. Stolen information included annual income and personal loan limits for some customers, data that could potentially be sold to fraudsters or traded online.